Doctrinal Mastery: John 3:5
Born of Water and of the Spirit to Enter the Kingdom of God
In a previous lesson, you studied the Savior’s words to Nicodemus about being spiritually reborn through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. In this lesson you can practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge using the doctrine that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.
Marking doctrinal mastery passages. Invite students to mark doctrinal mastery scripture passages in a way that is unique from their other markings so they can remember and locate these passages more easily. Students using the Gospel Library app could also create a tag for these passages.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share what they would teach a Primary class about John 3:5.
Possible Learning Activities
Memorize and explain
This lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson on John 3:1–8, the contextual lesson for this doctrinal mastery passage. If this doctrinal mastery lesson needs to be moved to a different week to accommodate school schedules, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.
The following activity is intended to help students explain in their own words the doctrine taught in John 3:5 that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. Make sure that each student has an opportunity to explain this doctrine to a partner or small group. Listen carefully to their responses, and encourage them to ask questions if they have any. Review material from the lesson on John 3:1–8 as needed.
Invite students to use the student preparation activity to help them in their responses during this portion of the lesson.
Imagine that you have been asked to teach a Primary class about this truth taught in John 3:5: we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.
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How would you explain to the Primary class what this doctrine means? Include thoughts about the Savior’s role in this process, as taught in Alma 7:14.
The following exercise can help you remember the doctrinal mastery passage and memorize its key scripture phrase. You can complete a similar activity in the Doctrinal Mastery app if you have access to it.
With a pencil, write in your study journal, “ John 3:5: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Repeat the phrase aloud or in your mind a few times.
Select three or four words and erase all but the first letter of each of these words. Repeat the phrase again a couple of times.
Repeat this exercise until only the first letters of each word remain, as shown here:
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“J____ 3:_E_____ a m__ b_ b___ o_ w____ a__ o_ t__ S_____, h_ c_____ e____ i___ t__ k______ o_ G__.”
Repeat the phrase several times using the first letters, and then try reciting it without looking.
Practice application
Display the following activity on the board. Allow students to briefly explain the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. Make sure that students are sufficiently familiar with those principles before moving on.
Imagine that you have a friend named Meghan who is a member of the Church, but her mother is not. Her mother believes in Jesus Christ and the Bible but doesn’t belong to any particular church. Meghan asks you, “Can’t my mother go to heaven without being baptized if she lives a good life?”
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What are some reasons Meghan might ask this question?
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Why is it important to understand her reasons for asking this question before trying to help her find answers?
To help Meghan find an answer to her question about the importance of baptism, you can apply the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge.
Consider whether the following activity would be best for students to do on their own, with a partner, or in small groups. Discern their levels of energy and focus, and choose the method that will best meet their needs.
Act in faith
Read paragraphs 5–7 of the section “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022). Consider underlining words or phrases that would be helpful to apply in this scenario.
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What words or phrases did you underline? How can you apply them in this scenario?
It might be helpful to ask additional follow-up questions, such as “What specific things could you invite Meghan to do to act in faith?”
Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective
Read paragraphs 8–10 in the same section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Consider underlining words or phrases that would be helpful to apply in this scenario.
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What words or phrases did you underline? How can you apply them in this scenario?
If needed, consider asking additional follow-up questions, such as “What is the role of baptism and of confirmation in the plan of salvation?”
Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources
Read paragraphs 11–12 in the same section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Consider underlining words or phrases that would be helpful to apply in this scenario.
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What words or phrases did you underline? How can you apply them in this scenario?
If it would help students, consider asking follow-up questions, such as “How might you use the doctrine taught in John 3:5 to help Meghan?” or “What additional divinely appointed sources could you point Meghan to? How could those sources help her?”
Invite students to explain how they would use the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to help Meghan better understand the importance of baptism. Consider asking students to role-play this scenario in pairs, with students taking turns acting as Meghan. As needed, help students explain the doctrine and apply the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge.
Doctrinal Mastery Review
In a later class, review the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase by inviting students to repeat the first-letter activity described in this lesson.